2006 Mazda MX-5 NC 2.0 Sport
Discussion
I'll be honest, the only thing I'd sell it for is an Elise S2 111R, and even then I'm not sure. I've properly fallen for this MX-5 the more time I spend in it.
I'm in a bit of a conundrum:
Do I pull the plug on some Eibach springs for the car, that's currently on new Sachs shock absorbers, which are about £180:
Or do I buy a set of used Bilstein shocks and springs (11 years old), to put my car back to what it should have had from the factory, also about £180 used:
If I did go for the Bilstein's, I could easily sell my current shocks and springs as the condition on them is like new (as they are) which would cover a lot of that price.
I'd imagine the Bilstein would handle better than my standard shocks with the Eibach lowering springs (that's a guess), but they're a used set. My current standard shocks are relatively new and the springs I'd buy would be brand new. So there's that. I'd imagine they'd sit about the same height.
What are everyone's thoughts?
I'm in a bit of a conundrum:
Do I pull the plug on some Eibach springs for the car, that's currently on new Sachs shock absorbers, which are about £180:
Or do I buy a set of used Bilstein shocks and springs (11 years old), to put my car back to what it should have had from the factory, also about £180 used:
If I did go for the Bilstein's, I could easily sell my current shocks and springs as the condition on them is like new (as they are) which would cover a lot of that price.
I'd imagine the Bilstein would handle better than my standard shocks with the Eibach lowering springs (that's a guess), but they're a used set. My current standard shocks are relatively new and the springs I'd buy would be brand new. So there's that. I'd imagine they'd sit about the same height.
What are everyone's thoughts?
Edited by geraintthomas on Monday 12th April 09:25
Evoluzione said:
£180 for a set of worn dampers and springs? 
I advertised some for £40, no takers so scrapped them.
Really! The thing is, I'm not sure how old is too old when it comes to suspension. I've heard 10 years is too old, but I've had cars that are 16 years old that handle impeccably, so it's been a tough one.I advertised some for £40, no takers so scrapped them.
If that's an obvious no-go, I'll avoid and will buy the springs.
shalmaneser said:
Ten years old is getting on a bit. Do it once, do it right springs to mind. Bilstein dampers/eibach springs aren't that expensive!
The bilstein shocks are around £220 a corner, making it almost £900 all round without springs.That's very expensive...I've just done some shopping and have purchased a lovely new set of Eibach springs, along with some other bits and bobs. Wheel paint, caliper paint, new steering wheel, door decals, springs, brake discs & pads, drop links, ARB bushes, to name a few.
I really do have a wedding to save up for...
Also I don't know if it is still on but eBay have 15% off selected sellers. Just got a set of Eibachs for my Saab Estate for £160 odd. Knocked down from 190. Only problem is there is a lead time of 2-3 weeks but not too bothered at that price. Mine will also be going on Sachs dampers but Aero specific ones.
Edited by BricktopST205 on Monday 12th April 20:28
If you want a set of Bilsteins I think I’ve still got mine somewhere, they came of my 57 plate Sport last year when I got a set of Meister CRDs fitted. They’ve only done 38k but do have underseal on them from when I got it rustproofed! I’d take £40 plus postage. However............ tbh I wasn’t impressed with them at all on the standard springs but I’ve not driven a non sport to compare it to.
Appreciate the heads up on the suspension, definitely think I've made the right call on the eibach suspension after more research. Also very much appreciate the offers on buying your suspension.
In total, I've got:
- Eibach 30/35mm springs
- Brembo discs
- StopTech Pro pads
- Anthracite wheel paint
- Yellow caliper paint
- Re-trimmed steering wheel (leather & alcantara)
- Grey MX-5 door decals
- Rear diffuser (different from my previous one)
The steering wheel will take the longest but I won't do any of it until it's all arrived. It's going to be a good week when it comes doing all of this.
In total, I've got:
- Eibach 30/35mm springs
- Brembo discs
- StopTech Pro pads
- Anthracite wheel paint
- Yellow caliper paint
- Re-trimmed steering wheel (leather & alcantara)
- Grey MX-5 door decals
- Rear diffuser (different from my previous one)
The steering wheel will take the longest but I won't do any of it until it's all arrived. It's going to be a good week when it comes doing all of this.
I think the Bilsteins are very good on stock springs, I don't think i've ever tried any on lowered ones.
Stock dampers are a bit floaty at speed, even on lowering springs.
The Bilsteins do have an issue though and that is they can produce a knocking noise as they get older and with more miles on them.
Stock dampers are a bit floaty at speed, even on lowering springs.
The Bilsteins do have an issue though and that is they can produce a knocking noise as they get older and with more miles on them.
Evoluzione said:
I think the Bilsteins are very good on stock springs, I don't think i've ever tried any on lowered ones.
Stock dampers are a bit floaty at speed, even on lowering springs.
The Bilsteins do have an issue though and that is they can produce a knocking noise as they get older and with more miles on them.
I have the Eibach Pro 35mm springs on mine and generally they sit well on the Bilsteins - the fide is firmer but more controlled than stock. The problem I have with them is that they can "bounce" quite severely when pressing on over ridges and humps (such as older railway bridges and the like). At the moment I need to consider replacing the dust covers on my shocks as they're deteriorating, but as the cost to take the suspension apart and do this would also cover the fitting of a better matched aftermarket set of coilovers, I've been looking at that instead.Stock dampers are a bit floaty at speed, even on lowering springs.
The Bilsteins do have an issue though and that is they can produce a knocking noise as they get older and with more miles on them.
robf1uk said:
I have the Eibach Pro 35mm springs on mine and generally they sit well on the Bilsteins - the fide is firmer but more controlled than stock. The problem I have with them is that they can "bounce" quite severely when pressing on over ridges and humps (such as older railway bridges and the like). At the moment I need to consider replacing the dust covers on my shocks as they're deteriorating, but as the cost to take the suspension apart and do this would also cover the fitting of a better matched aftermarket set of coilovers, I've been looking at that instead.
I've discovered this multiple times when researching. I almost went for a non-sport edition to get the standard shocks and lower them, rather than the Bilstein's. So you can imagine my excitement when I saw this Sport model with standard shocks (due to replacing them with the wrong ones); a sport with all the trinkets, and shocks that I can lower properly. However, after seeing an image that someone posted a few pages back of my exact car when they owned it previously, and seeing how it sat, I did wonder about putting Bilstein's back on it as the ride height looked spot on. After what I've read up though, I think I'm best to stick with my standard shocks with the Eibach springs.The StopTech Pro pads are delayed (been three weeks now) as they're waiting on stock, but said they'd be posted this week. They were very apologetic though and I can sympathise with the current situation. Plus, it's not as if my current brakes don't work.
Anyway. We've just come back from a few days in North Wales, and a trip to North Wales had to mean going in the 5. Through Brecon, on the B450, through Builth Wells, and all the way to Llangollen. The place was beautiful and it was a well deserved break for both of us.
Knowing we were going in the MX-5, I gave it a thorough going over the evening before.
Cue fancy photos:
Morning came and we started to pack, but up until this point I hadn't thought about what suitcases, bags or luggage we were going to use due to the space. For a laugh, I took our biggest suitcase to the car, and...
How that went in I'll never know.
We got to the converted stable cottage around 4pm, taking our time on the journey up.
Again, how on earth did that fit.
We did a few journeys, visited Betws-y-coed (if anyone's in the North Wales area, I urge you to visit), and generally explored.
More photos for anyone who's interested:
Maddie was happy, even with the roof down most of the way!
After hundreds of miles, the car's paint was a tad different from when we left:
I think it looks pretty good dirty. Until I took this photo:
About half an hour after taking that photo, I bought the Eibach springs. I genuinely can't look at that arch gap anymore on a car as sweet handling as this.
A quick pressure wash, snow foam and a rinse brought it back to what it was.
The roads through Snowdonia, Betws-Y-Coed and Llangollen were absolutely beautiful; wide, swooping roads with tight bends and generous visibility for the road ahead and other cars. It gave me a chance to push the car a little more than I have done, which peeled back the layers of the car a little more. A few things I've noticed from doing so, and first and foremost are the brakes. Once warmed, the pedal isn't the best. That classic 'mushy' feeling starts to take over any precision and takes confidence out of the braking, as well as the pedal traveling a tad further. Take a look at some of the photos above at the rear discs, and you'll see they're far past their best. Handling was lovely, if a tad wallowy at speed, but nothing the new Eibach springs won't iron out. Tyres are skittish under some of the tighter corners, but that's what you get from having mis-matched budget tyres. Power hasn't been an issue at all yet, so I'm not inclined to do anything to this for any power increase.
With the Brembo discs, StopTech pads and Eibach springs, this should be a very capable car on the road.
MattsCar said:
Shame I didn't see this before you purchased the springs as I know where there is a Whiteline GS1-MAZ001 kit going for a very good price!
Sorry for the OT here....but also having a MX5 NC, could you drop me a mail ?OP, for the StopTech Sport pads, I bought mine 1 or 2 months ago (when people already talked about delays) on the Bay from Tegiwaimports (not related at all to me), and I received them within few days... Don't know if that helps. Maybe I should already buy some more then
cedrichn said:
Sorry for the OT here....but also having a MX5 NC, could you drop me a mail ?
OP, for the StopTech Sport pads, I bought mine 1 or 2 months ago (when people already talked about delays) on the Bay from Tegiwaimports (not related at all to me), and I received them within few days... Don't know if that helps. Maybe I should already buy some more then
Same place and same vendor here - they've messaged and apologised so it shouldn't be too long now. Heard good things about them.OP, for the StopTech Sport pads, I bought mine 1 or 2 months ago (when people already talked about delays) on the Bay from Tegiwaimports (not related at all to me), and I received them within few days... Don't know if that helps. Maybe I should already buy some more then
Evoluzione said:
I think the Bilsteins are very good on stock springs, I don't think i've ever tried any on lowered ones.
Stock dampers are a bit floaty at speed, even on lowering springs.
The Bilsteins do have an issue though and that is they can produce a knocking noise as they get older and with more miles on them.
I think you may have just identified an issue for me!! I've been getting a knocking from somewhere at the rear of my car and despite checking everything for torque specs / loose / worn etc couldn't work out what it was. I'd resigned myself to the fact its just an 'old car noise' and to live with it, but this makes me think my summer plan to refresh the suspension might actually solve this noise as well - another excellent man-maths reason to spend 50% of the purchase price of my car on suspension Stock dampers are a bit floaty at speed, even on lowering springs.
The Bilsteins do have an issue though and that is they can produce a knocking noise as they get older and with more miles on them.
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